Elongated inflatable seal and containment devices for use sealing joints between perpendicularly disposed structural members and coplanar structural members

ABSTRACT

An elongated seal and containment devices for use therewith are disclosed, the seal is provided with feathered edges formed on both ends thereof to allow overlapped insertion within containment devices which positions and retains the seal in contiguous engagement with the joint between adjacent structural members. The seal is flexible and inflatable so that when pressurized it will conform to the shape of the containment devices and exert sealing pressure on the structural members. The seal and containment devices for use therewith are particularly adapted for use in fluid containing structures such as storage tanks, swimming pools and the like.

O Umted States Patent 1 [111 3,710,401 Goettl 1 Jan. 16, 1973 [54 ELONGATED INFLATABLE SEAL AND 794,987 7/1905 Kneuper ..277/34.3 ux

CONTAINMENT DEVICES FOR USE SEALING JOINTS BETWEEN FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS PERPENDICULARLY DISPOSED 1,161,664 8/1969 Great Britain... ...,..,....277134.3 STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AND COPLANAR STRUCTURAL MEMBERS Primary Examiner-Frederick L. Matteson Assistant Examiner-Henry K. Artis [76] Inventor: Adam D. Goettl, 4960 East Att0mey ,Herben Haynes, Jr

Palomino Rd., Phoenix, Ariz. 85018 22 Filed: Sept. 14, 1970 1 1 ABSTRACT [21] r 71,961 An elongated seal and containment devices for use therewith are disclosed, the seal is provided with feathered edges formed on both ends thereof to allow U-S. Cl. .-4/172-l9, overlapped insertion containment devices [5 113. C]. po itions and rgmins the eal in contiguous en- Fleld 0 Search gagement the joint between adjacent structural members. The seal is flexible and inflatable so that Reference-5 Cited when pressurized it will conform to the shape of the containment devices and exert sealing pressure on the UNITED STATES PATENTS structural members. The seal and containment devices 1,439,452 12/1922 Shaw ..277/34.3 for use therewith are particularly adapted for use in 3,439,362 4/1969 Goettl r ..4/172.19 fluid containing structures such as storage tanks, 3,125,346 3/1964 P0lt0rak....... 277/34 X swimming pools and the like, 3,178,779 4/1965 Clark et al. ..277l34 X 3,258,271 6/ 1966 Hollingsworth ..277/34.3 X 12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 16 ms SHEET 1 [IF 3 I N VE N'TOR. #04/14 0. 60.57/74 BY WzW AGENT I w a 1 PATENTEDJms I973 3.710.401

sum 2 OF 3 12 INVENTOR.

' AGENT PATENTEDJAH 16 I973 SHEET 3 BF 3 agk INVENTOR. 404M 0. 606772 BY AGENT ELONGATED INFLATABLE SEAL AND CONTAINMENT DEVICES FOR USE SEALING JOINTS BETWEEN PERPENDICULARLY DISPOSED STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AND COPLANAR STRUCTURAL MEMBERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to seal structures and more particularly to elongatedflexible inflatable seals having feathered ends for overlapped insertion into containment devices for sealing the joints between adjacent structural members.

2. Prior Art Inflatable seals for sealing joints in structural members such as pipeline conduits, jar lids, and the like have long been used. This type of prior art inflatable seal has been contained within an annular groove formed in the structure and has either been of endless construction or has had abutting ends. This type of seal construction has required relatively close manufacturing tolerances in both the seal and the containment devices for use therewith.

Relatively large fluid containing structures such as water tanks are erected on the building site which requires that elaborate manufacturing equipment, tooling, and skilled craftsmen of various trades be transported to the site. This technique is not always the most desirable due to many factors such as distance, accessability, working conditions and the like.

Another construction technique employed in the erection of fluid containing structures is to prefabricate and transport the completed structure to the building site. This technique is also less than ideal in that the size and weight of the structure is limited by the transportation medium employed, and the equipment needed to handle it.

The need therefor has been created for a new and useful seal and seal containment devices for use with fluid containing structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, a new and useful seal and containment devices are disclosed which are particularly adapted for use in construction of fluid containing structures. The seal comprises an elongated body which is closed on both ends to provide extending ends which are feathered to allow overlapped insertion of the seal within containment devices. The seal is fabricated of flexible material and is inflatable so that when the seal is pressurized it will conform to the interior of the containment device.

One of the containment devices disclosed is adapted for sealing the joint between perpendicularly disposed structural members and comprises a U-shaped channel formed in the first structural member, the channel being adapted to receive a seal and an edge of the second structural member. The seal is positioned within the channel to be in contiguous engagement with the joint between the structural members.

Another type of containment device is disclosed for sealing the joint between two coplanar structural members. This containment device comprises a body having two longitudinal cavities formed therein, each cavity being adapted to receive an edge of one of the structural members and a seal. When the seals are inflated,

the edge of each structural member is sealed within its longitudinal cavity thereby sealing the joint between the coplanar structural members.

Accordingly it is one object of the present invention to provide a new and useful elongated flexible inflatable seal which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to fabricate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful elongated flexible inflatable seal which is closed on both ends thereof to provide extending ends which are feathered to allow overlapped insertion of the seal within containment devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful elongated flexible inflatable seal having at least two separate inflatable chambers formed therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful elongated flexible inflatable seal and seal containment device suitable for use in sealing the joint between perpendicularly disposed structural members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful elongated flexible inflatable seal and seal containment device for use in sealing. the joint between abutting coplanar structural members.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful elongated flexible inflatable seal and seal containment device for use in construction of fluid containing structures.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the various features thereof as well as the invention itself may be more fully understood from .the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid containing structure incorporating the features of the present invention; I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. I; Y

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation partially broken away of an elongated flexible inflatable seal of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the inflatable seal on the present invention installed within a containment device in an overlapped manner and in contiguous engagement with a joint between perpendicularly disposed structural members;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 in which a plurality of seals are installed within the containment device;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 and shows a modification of the seal of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified containment device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary exploded isometric view of portions of one of the containment devices of the present invention; Y

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary exploded isometric view of portions of another one of the containment devices of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to I FIG. 2 and illustrating a modification thereof;

FIG. l2.is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrating a modification thereof.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a storage tank 10, the configuration and structural details of which were chosen for illustration purposes, as the seal and containment devices hereinafter disclosed are suitable for use in any type of fluid containing structure such as swimming pools, storage tanks, and the like.

An inflatable seal 12 of the present invention, as best seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, comprise an elongated flexible tubular body 14 formed of resilient material such as rubber, neoprene, or any other flexible material. The seal 12 may be of any desired cross-sectional configuration and is closed on both ends by vulcanization or any other suitable process to form extended ends 16 and 18, the outermost ends of which are provided with beveled or feathered edges 20 and 22. Intermediate the ends of inflatable seal 12, there is provided a suitable input device 24 which serves as a pressurization means for permitting fluid under pressure to be applied to the internal cavity or chamber 25 of the seal. The input device is shown as a conventional innertube valve stem which may be used if the pressurizing fluid is to be gaseous; however any other suitable input device may be used which would be compatible to the pressurizing substance used.

Containment devices suitable for use with seal 12 generally comprise an elongated endless structure for containing the seal and placing it in sealing contact with the joint between two adjacent structural members as will hereinafter be described in detail.

The extended ends 16 and 18 with their feathered edges 20 and 22 allow overlapped insertion of the seal 12 within containment devices as best seen in FIG. 5. Pressurization of seal 12 will cause it to expand within the confines of the containment device. This controlled expansion and the feathered edges of the seal 12 allow overlapped insertion of the seal so that the extended ends 16 an 18, as well as adjacent overlapped portions 28, will be pressurized into sealing contact with each other without forming gaps between the ends of the seal.

As seen in FIG. 6, a plurality of overlapped seals 12 may be installed within the containment devices so that in the event that one of the seals loses pressure, the entire fluid contents of the tank will not be lost as the remaining seal will expand substantially to maintain a hydrostatic seal.

As seen in FIG. 7 the seal 12 may be formed with one or more intermediate sealing portions 30 formed in a manner similar to that employed informing the ends 16 and 18. Theforming of intermediate sealing portions 30 provides individually pressurized chambers or cavities 32 so that in the event that one of the cavities loses pressure the entire usefulness of the seal will not be lost. A void or gap which would normally exist adjacent to the sealing portion 30 would be filled by an adjacent seal 12 which would expand into and fill this gap to provide a continuous seal. a

As seen in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, 7, and 11,. one form of containment device 34 is designed to seal the joint between perpendicularly disposed structural members. The con-'- tainment device 34 comprises an endless U-shaped channel 36 formed in a base 38 which is shown as the bottom portion of the tank 10, and comprises a circular or ring-shaped concrete footing formed in the ground surface 40. The containment device 34 comprises a floor portion42 and spaced apart vertical walls 44 and 46.

U-shaped channel 36 is adapted to receive a lower end 48-of a verticalwall member 50, and position the lower end 48 so that it is in contiguous engagement with wall 44 and floor 42. The containment device 34 also is adapted to receive one or more of the seals 12 so that when the seal is inflated it will engage the lower end 48 of vertical wall 50, floor 42, and wall 46 of the containment device 34, thereby forming a hydrostatic seal between the base and the vertical wall member.

It should be understood that the forming of base 38 as hereinbefore described should not be construed as limiting this invention, as'formation of containment device 34 in any perpendicularly disposed structural member would perform an identical function.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 7, the containment device 34 positions the vertical wall 50 so that the seal 12 is placed inside the tank 10. If desired, this arrangement may be reversed so that the seal l2-is placed outside of the tank. Also seen in FIG. 2, the input device 24 is positioned to extend upwardly from the open portion of the U-shaped channel 36. A modification of this valve stem positioning arrangement is shown in FIG. 11, which provides the lower end 48 of wall 50 with a hole or aperture 52 through which the input device 24 extends into a radial slot 54 which is formed in base 38 and disposed to extend outwardly and upwardly from channel 36. This arrangement also provides additional retaining of the seal 12 within the containment device 34.

Vertical wall 50 may be formed of sheet metal, resin impregnated glass cloth, or any other suitable material. Wall materials of this type are generally available in long strips and their width dimensions usually run between 3 and 4 feet. If it is desired that a structure such as the tank 10 be erected to a height greater than the available materials, a containment device 56 may be employed to seal the joint between two coplanar structural members.

The containment device 56 as seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 9 comprises a plurality of interlocked elongated bodies 58. Each body 58 is provided with an axial passage or bore formed therethrough which is divided into two longitudinal cavities 60 and 62 by a center brace 64. The cavities 60 and 62 are illustrated as diametrically opposed hemispherical cavities, but may be formed into other suitable configurations such as rectangular, square and the like. Cavity 60 is provided with a longitudinal opening 66 formed in the lower end thereof for receiving the upper end 68 of wall member 50 and an inflatable seal 12 therein. Cavity 62 is provided with a longitudinal opening 70 formed in theupper portion thereof toreceive the lower end .72 of an upper tank wall member 74 and a seal 12 therein. The containment device 56 may be formed of a plurality of interlocking pieces as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 9, these interlocking pieces form an endless containmentdevice which provides structural support for upper tank wall 74 as well as carrying the inflatable seals 12 to form a hydrostatic seal for the overlapped ends of coplanar walls 50 and 74.

The containment device 56 may comprise a single elongated body 58 formed of any suitable semirigid plastic material which would allow the body to assume a ring or oval shape thereby necessitating only one interlocking portion such as a female end 76 as seen in FIG. 9. If it is desired that the containment device body 58 be formed of a rigid metalic material, a plurality of relatively short bodies may be employed, thus necessitating the forming of interlocking means on each body such as the female end 76.

As seen in FIG. 3 the containment device 56 positions the seals 12 within the longitudinal cavities 60 and 62 so that the input devices 24 extend from the longitudinal openings 66 and 70. it will be noted that one of the input devices 24 would therefore be positioned within the tank; if this feature is not desirable a modified containment device 78, as shown in FIG. 12, could be employed.

The containment device 78 is provided with transversely offset longitudinal cavities 80 and 82. The upper longitudinal cavity 80 is formed similar to the cavity 60 of containment device 56 and is provided with a hole or aperture through which input device 24 radially extends. The longitudinal cavity 82 is provided with an upwardly extending portion 86 into which the upper end 68 of vertical tank wall 50 is positioned. Vertical wall member 50 is provided with a hole or aperture 88 through which input device 24 radially extends so as to be accessible from the exterior of the tank 10. It should be noted that the seal 12 when inflated will seal the hole 88 to prevent the leakage therethrough.

A modified containment device 90 for use with coplanar structural members is shown in FIGS. 8 and and comprises an H-shaped body 92 having a lower cavity 94 and an upper cavity 96 formed therein. Lower cavity 94 is provided with an opening 98 formed in the lower end thereof to receive upper end 68 of vertical tank wall 50 and a seal 12 therein. Upper cavity 96 is provided with an opening 100 in the upper end thereof to receive the lower end 72 of upper tank wall 74, and seal 12 therein. As seen in FIG. 8 the input device 24 of seal 12 may be positioned as shown in upper cavity 96 so as to extend from the opening 100, or one or both of the cavities may be provided with a hole 102 so that input devices 24 may radially extend from the side of the H-shaped body to provide easy access to the input devices and to help hold the seals 12 within the cavities 94 and 96.

As previously described with reference to containment device 56, containment device 90 may be formed ofa plastic material which would permit the forming of one elongated body having one interlocking means. If the H-shaped body 92 is to be formed of metallic or other similar rigid materials the body may be formed of a plurality of relatively short interlocking pieces having a locking means 104 formed thereon as shown in FIG. 10.

Although the tank 10, shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated as being a substantially round structure, it should be understood that the seal and the containment devices hereinbefore described and their various features would allow the tank structure to be built in other configurations which may necessitate the use of buttresses,

I made clear in the preferred embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications in structure, arrangements, proportions, the elements, and the materials used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.

The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any such modifications within the limits only of the true scope of the invention.

What [claim is:

1. An inflatable seal for use within a containment device for sealing joints between adjacent members, the inflatable seal comprising:

a. an elongated flexible body formed of resilient material, said body having at least one pressure chamber formed therein and closed on the ends thereof to form extended flat, non-inflatable end portions;

. feathered edges formed on the extended end portions to allow overlapped insertion of the seal within the containment device; and

. pressurizing means formed on said body for conducting a pressurizing substance into the pressure 1 chamber of said body.

2. An inflatable seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body is closed in at least one location intermediate the ends thereof to form separate pressure chambers therein.

3. An inflatable seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means comprises at least one valve stem mechanism for conducting gaseous fluids under pressure into the pressure chamber of said body.

4. An inflatable seal and containment'device for sealing the joint between two parallel disposed members comprising:

a. an endless containment device formed in a first one of the members, said containment device adapted to receive one edge ofa second one of the members which is perpendicularly disposed with respect to the first member;

b. at least one elongated flexible inflatable seal having at least one pressure chamber formed therein, said seal closed on the ends thereof to form extended ends which are beveled to allow overlapped insertion of said seal within said containment device; and

. pressurizing means formed on said seal for conducting fluid under pressure into the pressure chamber thereof to expand said seal into pressurized contiguous engagement with said containment device and with the second one of said members.

5. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said endless containment device comprises a U-shaped channel.

6. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said containment device comprises:

a. a U-shaped channel; and

b. at least one radial slot formed to extend outwardly and upwardly from said channel and positioned to receive said pressurizing means therein.

An inflatable seal and containment device for sea]- in g the joint between two coplanar members having adjacent edges, and seal and containment device comprising:

' form extended ends which are feathered to allow overlapped insertion of said seals within said containment device, there being at least one seal within each cavity, said seal being disposed adjacent to the edge of the coplanar member therein; and

. pressurizing means formed on each of said seals for conducting fluid under pressure into the pressure chambers thereof to expand said seals into pressurized contiguous engagement with the cavities and the coplanar members therein.

An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said endless containment device comprises:

an elongated body having an axial bore formed therethrough;

a center brace formed within the bore to divide said body into said pair of longitudinal cavities,

each cavity having a longitudinal opening formed therein which is positioned adjacent to said center brace, the openings being arranged opposite to each other and adapted to permit entry of one of the coplanar members and at least one of said seals into each of the cavities.

An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said endless containment device comprises:

a. a plurality of elongated bodies each having an axial bore formed therethrough;

locking means formed on said elongated bodies for interlocking said plurality of elongated bodies to form the endless containment device;

c. a center brace formed in each of said elongated bodies to divide them into said pair of longitudinal cavities, each cavity having a longitudinal opening formed therein, said openings positioned so that one of the coplanar members and at least one of said seals may be inserted into each of the cavities.

10. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said endless containment device comprises:

a. an elongated body in which said pair of longitudinal cavities are formed, said cavities being transversely offset from each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body, each of the cavities having a longitudinal opening formed therein to permit insertion of one of the coplanar members and at least one of said seals within each of the cavities;

a center brace formed on said elongated body to separate the cavities; and

c. an extending portion formed in one of said pair of longitudinal cavities, said portion adapted to receive the edge of one of the coplanar members. 11. An lnflatab e seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one of the longitudinal cavities of said endless containment device is formed with lateral apertures through which said pressurizing means extends.

12. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said containment device comprises an endless H-shaped body and the upper and lower cavities of which form said pair of longitudinal cavities. 

1. An inflatable seal for use within a containment device for sealing joints between adjacent members, the inflatable seal comprising: a. an elongated flexible body formed of resilient material, said body having at least one pressure chamber formed therein and closed on the ends thereof to form extended flat, noninflatable end portions; b. feathered edges formed on the extended end portions to allow overlapped insertion of the seal within the containment device; and c. pressurizing means formed on said body for conducting a pressurizing substance into the pressure chamber of said body.
 2. An inflatable seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said body is closed in at least one location intermediate the ends thereof to form separate pressure chambers therein.
 3. An inflatable seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means comprises at least one valve stem mechanism for conducting gaseous fluids under pressure into the pressure chamber of said body.
 4. An inflatable seal and containment device for sealing the joint between two parallel disposed members comprising: a. an endless containment device formed in a first one of the members, said containment device adapted to receive one edge of a second one of the members which is perpendicularly disposed with respect to the first member; b. at least one elongated flexible inflatable seal having at least one pressure chamber formed therein, said seal closed on the ends thereof to form extended ends which are beveled to allow overlapped insertion of said seal within said containment device; and c. pressurizing means formed on said seal for conducting fluid under pressure into the pressure chamber thereof to expand said seal into pressurized contiguous engagement with said containment device and with the second one of said members.
 5. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 4 wheRein said endless containment device comprises a U-shaped channel.
 6. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said containment device comprises: a. a U-shaped channel; and b. at least one radial slot formed to extend outwardly and upwardly from said channel and positioned to receive said pressurizing means therein.
 7. An inflatable seal and containment device for sealing the joint between two coplanar members having adjacent edges, and seal and containment device comprising: a. an endless containment device having a pair of longitudinal cavities formed therein, each cavity adapted to receive one edge of a different one of the coplanar members; b. at least a pair of elongated flexible inflatable seals each having at least one pressure chamber formed therein, said seals closed on the ends thereof to form extended ends which are feathered to allow overlapped insertion of said seals within said containment device, there being at least one seal within each cavity, said seal being disposed adjacent to the edge of the coplanar member therein; and c. pressurizing means formed on each of said seals for conducting fluid under pressure into the pressure chambers thereof to expand said seals into pressurized contiguous engagement with the cavities and the coplanar members therein.
 8. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said endless containment device comprises: a. an elongated body having an axial bore formed therethrough; b. a center brace formed within the bore to divide said body into said pair of longitudinal cavities, each cavity having a longitudinal opening formed therein which is positioned adjacent to said center brace, the openings being arranged opposite to each other and adapted to permit entry of one of the coplanar members and at least one of said seals into each of the cavities.
 9. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said endless containment device comprises: a. a plurality of elongated bodies each having an axial bore formed therethrough; b. locking means formed on said elongated bodies for interlocking said plurality of elongated bodies to form the endless containment device; c. a center brace formed in each of said elongated bodies to divide them into said pair of longitudinal cavities, each cavity having a longitudinal opening formed therein, said openings positioned so that one of the coplanar members and at least one of said seals may be inserted into each of the cavities.
 10. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said endless containment device comprises: a. an elongated body in which said pair of longitudinal cavities are formed, said cavities being transversely offset from each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of said body, each of the cavities having a longitudinal opening formed therein to permit insertion of one of the coplanar members and at least one of said seals within each of the cavities; b. a center brace formed on said elongated body to separate the cavities; and c. an extending portion formed in one of said pair of longitudinal cavities, said portion adapted to receive the edge of one of the coplanar members.
 11. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one of the longitudinal cavities of said endless containment device is formed with lateral apertures through which said pressurizing means extends.
 12. An inflatable seal and containment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said containment device comprises an endless H-shaped body and the upper and lower cavities of which form said pair of longitudinal cavities. 